Marathon donates $11,000 to Newfound area groups

Tuesday

Oct 30, 2007 at 3:15 AMOct 30, 2007 at 5:33 AM

By BOB MARTIN

The New Hampshire Marathon donated more than $11,000 to three area organizations on Monday night at a ceremony at Camp Mayhew in Bristol. Supporters of the organizations, Marathon members and local community members were there in support.

The three organizations are the Mayhew Program, Circle Program and Tapply-Thompson Community Center. Each received $3,700, for a total of $11,100 which was raised from this year's New Hampshire Marathon. Another gift of $300 was presented to Hebron Police Chief Bill White toward NACA for its help with police, EMT and fire department assistance.

According to Marathon Director Everett Begor, there were more than 200 volunteers involved in producing this year's marathon which drew a field of 328 runners and walkers. This was the second-largest number of participants in the marathon's 15-year history.

"While the number of participants went down a bit from last year, we are still trying to reach the goal of having 500 racers," said Begor.

The mission of the N.H. Marathon is to promote a world-class running event and to support area child-centered organizations. The event features a course around Newfound Lake during the state's most spectacular season, peak foliage. For the past few years, the N.H. Marathon has attracted runners from 45 states and 10 countries.

Each year, the Cu Na Mara Restaurant plays host to a post-race party, something that Begor said he was thankful for.

Begor spoke with a large amount of pride in the marathon, which he said is a great community effort by nearly all volunteers. He called it a great tribute to the community and also praised the sponsors who helped.

He said the amount of money raised that was distributed to the three organizations was unexpected since the number of participants was slightly less than last year, but he said the organizations deserve whatever can be given to them.

"The three organizations chosen for donations are, in our opinion, great sources, locally and statewide," Begor said.

Tapply-Thompson Community Center Director Leslie Dion said the money donated will be used toward various programs within the organization. She added that she is a big advocate of the N.H. Marathon and that it is a good display of community time and effort.

Doug Williams, chair of Tapply-Thompson Advisory Council, said that each program involved is well deserving of the donation. He described the organizations as programs well-known for their services and involvement in the community.

"In organizations like ours, there is always a struggle for funding," said Williams. "It is almost overwhelming what the Marathon can do for us. I feel honored that we are and have been chosen to receive this donation."

Mayhew Program Director Ed Thompson said his organization was extremely fortunate to have the help of the N.H. Marathon. He said the support of the marathon continues to help the organizations and that it is much-appreciated.

"Three thousand dollars is a huge sum of money, really," said Thompson. "Think about it this way: It is almost enough to pay a full tuition for one of our boys."

Elizabeth Beeson, Circle Program executive director, said the money received goes toward mentoring for the women involved in the program. She said she takes pride that the money was raised in the community and will remain in the community.

According to Begor, when his committee took over the marathon in 2000, it was able to give only a total of $1,000. Now, it has jumped $11,000, bringing the 15-year grand total to $54,950 donated.

"N.H. Marathon is such an amazing organization," said Beeson. "For years they have been so supportive for the community with whatever they could donate. It is a huge volunteer effort that is something we always appreciate."